DELMIA Prismatic Machining

Create, optimize, and validate milling programs in a virtual workplace

With DELMIA Prismatic Machining (MTM), users can program a milling machine to produce 3D parts that require advanced 2.5-axis milling, axial, and probing operations. The Version 6 3D environment immerses NC programmers in a lifelike virtual workplace as they create, optimize, and validate milling programs. Through its Version 6 PLM environment, MTM provides easy access to up-to-date information for machining resources, NC programs, and part setup.

MTM provides the foundation for all Version 6 Machining solutions with a full set of features for workpiece setup, cutter tool assembly, and tool path simulation that includes material removal and NC code generation. NC programmers can capture and leverage enterprise intellectual property and collaborate with other stakeholders as they develop, validate, and optimize NC programs.

Mitigate risk to production by using PLM shop floor resources during programming

Leverage intellectual property

Implement a single solution from design to machining

Improve understanding of the impact of engineering changes

Reduce implementation costs

Creation and optimization of 2.5-axis milling, drilling and probing operations

The DELMIA NC portfolio offers a broad range of machining operations for tool path definition, including pocketing, facing, and contouring. These operations can be defined as multi-level and multi-pass. At the user’s request, the tool path can be optimized for high-speed machining. Point-to-point machining is available, as well as a full set of axial operations from standard drilling to complex boring and chamfering. Several dedicated strategies for hard material are included: trochoidal milling, concentric milling and spiral morphing. MTM offers unique functionalities for creating and verifying milling, drilling, and probing operations. Probing operations are very flexible and customizable using associated user parameters. Extending the 2.5 axis capabilities, MTM offers as well a best in class 4axis pocketing operation including various strategies, island management and user defined lead angle on the tool axis for better cutting conditions.

Automatic association of prismatic machining features with part design

MTM automatically recognizes the prismatic machining features of the product design, significantly reducing tool path programming time. A manufacturing view of the design part is generated, with all the drilling and milling features that are to be machined. Through this embedded feature-recognition technology, MTM allows geometrical-machining, feature-creation design parts—even those with no design feature specifications.

A single IP platform for managing machining resources

MTM is a Version 6 solution that utilizes the PLM 2.0 platform, allowing users to manage CNC machines, accessories, tools and tool assemblies as PLM 2.0 objects. These resources can be retrieved through standard PLM search capabilities, using relevant machining attributes, and instantiated in a machining cell. Users can clearly see the impact of changes to the definition of PLM 2.0 objects, such as part or cutting tool definitions, across all NC processes and programs. This single IP platform supports default or customized representation of the cutter and tool assemblies that are used for verification, simulation with material removal, and collision checking.

A Setup Wizard and an immersive, context-based user interface

MTM immerses the user in a Version 6 3D environment. A tool path creation wizard and context-based menus are available to help do quick 3D setup and create the NC tool path. Traffic lights signal if parameters need to be defined. When editing a parameter, clicking on a Help icon will result in an image describing the parameter to pop up in the panel. Users can quickly organize programs in the activities process tree using copy-and-paste functions. Tool changes and machine rotations are automatically generated and can be visualized in the activity process tree.

Quick tool path verification and editing

Tool path replay allows the generation and verification of individual operations or of the complete program. Alternative machining strategies can be tested to obtain collision-free trajectories. The tool path can be replicated, mirrored, translated and locally edited. The compare part and remaining stock command displays only the differences. It increases the tool path verification capabilities by pinpointing the “material in excess” or “lack of material” the user needs to focus on.

In-process part visualization and material removal simulation

Users can visualize the in-process part and analyze remaining material. The in-process part is taken into account during tool path generation (this option can be activated for a whole program or at operation level). Workpiece material removal can be displayed with cutting-tool colors to help users see which cutter generated the machined shape.

High level of automation and standardization

Machining processes can be defined as dedicated templates and stored in a catalog for reuse. The stored template can be retrieved and applied to the design features of the part geometry. The company’s intellectual property is capitalized and re-used to make programming more efficient. NC objects and attributes are handled as knowledgeware objects in order to increase the level of automation and standardization in NC program creation.

Product design change management

MTM is a Version 6 solution that offers complete associativity with CATIA Version 6 design tools, product engineering, manufacturing processes, and resources. Users are automatically alerted to product design changes and can quickly assess their impact on the machining process. Users can easily update the tool path program.

Seamless NC data generation

MTM offers seamless generation of APT source and NC Code ISO format through the integrated post-processor execution engine, the library of standard post-processor syntax mapping tables and Post Processor (PP) samples. The output formats can easily be customized. The output is generated and managed as PLM 2.0 objects in the single IP platform. Additional files generated by the post-processor are also automatically saved in the same container of the single IP platform, thus ensuring that all the relevant output for a given part are available at the same location and uptodate. The manufacturing program’s key information can be exported as documentation for ready reference on the shop floor.